JPH0237479A - Star burst processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To simplify constitution by setting each selected real intensity value to be the prescribed neighboring function of a command intensity value including a selected intensity value corresponding to the selected real intensity value. CONSTITUTION: A graphic engine 16 connected with a main processor 12 receives data of a text and a graphic shown on a display 14 and generates at least the intensity value of each pixel within the display 14 in a parameter. These are called command intensity values and stored in a memory 18 connected with the graphic engine 16. As the graphic engine 16 does not give a dot flare, the command intensity value is for a 'logical' pixel. Consequently the command intensity value stored within the memory 18 corresponds to the logical pixel by 1:1. Therefore the real intensity value of a pair of real intensity values of a pixel within a digitized display is calculated from a pair of command intensity values to attain by the standard and least constitution elements.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to graphic dot flare devices, and more particularly to a starburst processor for providing graphic dot flare on digitized video displays.

[Conventional technology]

A typical video display that can change the display over a period of time has picture pixels arranged in rows and columns. Such displays can utilize cathode ray tubes, light emitting diode grids or liquid crystal elements. Such a display can be monochrome or, as is known, use three groups of pixels with red, green and blue to generate colors. A pixel can be defined as the smallest area of a digital display screen that is all the same color;
The term "color" means a color value, hue or tint. This term means that the color of an individual pixel can have a different color than the color of any pixel adjacent to it in the display. Furthermore, the intensity of each physical pixel within the display can also be varied. On color graphics displays, adjacent red,
A group of three physical pixels, such as green and blue pixels, is called a logical pixel that is assigned one intensity value.

In digital displays, where the resolution of the display is determined by the number of horizontal and vertical pixels, the digitized matrix pixel arrangement causes certain graphic designs, such as diagonal lines, to appear irregularly varying rather than smooth. It has been found in the prior art that optically smoother diagonals can be produced by having pixels adjacent to a selected pixel have a reduced intensity than the selected pixel. This is, for example,
Corresponds to the dot flare effect in cathode ray tubes.

Although several different techniques are known for providing dot flare in graphic displays such as light emitting diodes and liquid crystal displays, the present invention provides an improved dot flare apparatus for use in digitized displays.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved dot flare for use in digitized displays.

An advantage of the present invention is that the circuitry used to implement dot flare is achieved with a minimum number of components standard in electronic technology. It is an advantage of the invention that a set of actual intensity values for pixels in a digitized display is calculated from a set of commanded intensity values determined by a video system using the invention.

The present invention provides a starburst processor for use in a system having means for generating graphics data for a set of logical pixels to be displayed on a display having a set of physical pixels. The starburst processor has means for providing a set of command intensity values in one-to-one correspondence with a set of logical pixels. The system provides a set of command intensity values for displayed graphical data. The starburst processor also has means for providing a set of real intensity values in one-to-one correspondence with a set of physical pixels, each of the selected real intensity values corresponding to a selected real intensity value. It is a function of command intensity values for a given neighborhood of logical pixels, including the logical pixel. A neighborhood can be thought of as a set of pixels that correspond to a set of intensity values. For example, the neighborhood may include the selected logical pixel and all logical pixels adjacent to the selected logical pixel. Other neighborhoods can also be defined according to the type of dot flare desired. From the vicinity of the commanded intensity value, the starburst processor provides a selected actual intensity value for the selected physical pixel in the display that corresponds to the selected logical pixel. This actual intensity value can be assigned one of a plurality of different predetermined values or a value derived by a mathematical formula.

A device implementing a starburst processor has an input connected to a memory in which commanded intensity values corresponding in a one-to-one relationship with logical pixels are stored. These command intensity values are effectively scanned on a row-by-row basis and temporarily stored in three random access memories, while three slices of pixels within a column are simultaneously processed to form an intermediate value.

Two more consecutive vertical slices are then processed, resulting in a total of three intermediate values. ``Finally, these three intermediate values are processed into a final actual intensity value for one selected physical pixel. By continuing this operation, every physical pixel will have a real intensity value calculated from them, which means that the logical pixel's neighborhood,
That is, it is a function near the command strength value.

Thus, in the example of a diagonal that actually occurs as a stepped line within a logical pixel, the resulting physical pixel diagonal has pixels directly on the line with the highest intensity, and the intensity of adjacent pixels is reduced, creating a dot flare effect. It can be seen that this occurs. As a result, video systems using the new Starburst processor produce optically superior graphics than prior art systems.

〔Example〕

Although the invention is versatile, it is most advantageously used in video display systems of the type shown in FIG. The invention is particularly applicable to digital displays with distinct pixels of light emitting diodes or liquid crystals.

As shown in FIG. 1 and known in the art, input/output unit 10 is interfaced with a main processor 12 that determines the information displayed on a digital display. The input/output crab unit 10 can interface with any one of several applications, such as aircraft operating characteristics. A typical digital display may be a liquid crystal display having a 512 horizontal by 512 vertical pixel matrix. Obviously, other sized displays can also be used. In either case, main processor 12 contains the data shown on display 14.

A graphics engine 16 connected to main processor 12 receives textual and graphical data to be shown on display 14 and generates, among other parameters, an intensity value for each pixel within display 14 at least. These are called command strength values and are
6 is stored in a memory 18 connected to 6. Since the graphics engine 16 does not provide dot flare, the commanded intensity values are for "logical" pixels. Therefore,
Commanded intensity values stored in memory 18 have a one-to-one correspondence with logical pixels. In the case of a monochrome display, each pixel, ie, each physical pixel in display 14, has a one-to-one correspondence with a logical pixel command intensity value calculated by graphics engine 16.

For color graphics displays, the three color elements red, green and blue form one logical pixel that emits the specific color desired. Thus, in the case of a color graphics display, the commanded intensity values stored in memory 18 are referred to as logical pixels, each of which is a triplet of color elements.

Starburst processor 20 receives a set of commanded intensity values from memory 18 and outputs a new set of actual intensity values to color map and gamma correction circuit 22, as described below. Accordingly, starburst processor 20 provides a new set of intensities that correspond in a one-to-one relationship with the physical pixels of display 14. This new set of actual intensity values output from starburst processor 20 incorporates the dot flare feature into the graphic data displayed on display 14.

As is known in the art, video information is sent to a scan converter 24 which in turn provides information to a color map and gamma correction circuit 22. It is also possible to perform gamma correction by supplying the intensity reference value to the color map and gamma correction circuit 22.

The color map and gamma correction circuit 22 combines the information from the starburst processor 20 and the scan converter 24 with the intensity reference values to provide a correction signal to the display 14.
Excite physical pixels within. The output of the color map and gamma correction circuit 22 is connected to the input of a loader/formater 24 that formats the data appropriately, and the formatted signal is then sent to the display driver 26.
to provide the actual voltage values that subsequently drive the physical pixels within the display 14.

Display 14 can have a linear angular pixel pattern as shown in FIG. 2 or a staggered pixel pattern as shown in FIG.

The selected pixels 28 shown in FIG. 2 are associated with selected intensity values determined by the graphics engine 16 and stored in the memory 18. In the case of a monochrome display, the logical pixels associated with the commanded intensity values stored in memory 18 correspond on a one-to-one basis to the physical pixels 2B shown in FIG. In the case of color graphics displays, a triplet of color elements is used in a known manner (see FIG. 3). For example, red element 30R1 blue element 30B
and green element 30G form one logical pixel with a commanded intensity value. For purposes of explanation, the corresponding physical pixels are also triplet red, blue and green elements. Therefore, there is also a one-to-one correspondence between logical pixels and physical pixels of a color graphics display.

As an example of the operation of the present invention, the graphics engine 16
excites the logical pixel corresponding to the physical pixel 28 shown in FIG.
Assume that the surrounding neighboring logical pixels corresponding to 38 are determined not to be illuminated. Therefore, the command intensity values of these nine pixels are the maximum value for pixel 28 and the zero value for pixels 31-38. This data is stored in memory 18. The physical pixels 28 within the display 14 are divided into nine logical pixels, namely:
The selected pixel 28 of the adjacent pixels 31-38 and the logical pixel has an actual intensity value that is a function of the commanded intensity value. It will be appreciated that, particularly for monochrome displays, the logical pixels have a direct one-to-one correspondence with the physical pixels within the display 14. - For boat fishing, the starburst processor 20 e.g.
has maximum intensity and surrounding adjacent physical pixels 31~
The intensity level of each of these nine physical pixels is determined such that 38 has a low intensity determined by a mathematical function controlled by the starburst processor 2o. Note that this assumes that other logical pixels surrounding this group of nine logical pixels also have zero command intensity values.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the display 14 of a video system using the starburst processor 2o. In the example, the diagonal is indicated on the display 14 by the pixels designated by the letter "eight".

Since the pixels are arranged in straight corners, diagonals can only be represented in a stepped display. To give a dot flare, the pixels indicated by the letter “B” are
For example, the "A" pixel can be displayed at half the intensity.

The pixel designated by the letter "C" can be displayed at one-third the intensity of the "A" pixel.

Therefore, the command strength value stored in memory 18 is the letter "
It has a value only for pixels indicated by "A". After processing by the starburst processor 2o, "A", "B", and "C"
Each physical pixel denoted by up to I/2
．． It has a value of 1/3. Thus, the starburst processor 20 provides a dot flare function, which causes the diagonals to appear more uniform.

The representation of calculations for selected pixels, such as P, . . . in FIG. 5, also includes the surrounding neighboring pixels shown in FIG.

This notation is used to describe the operation of the present invention. Each of the nine pixels in FIG. 5 has a corresponding commanded intensity value stored in memory 18, and each of these nine commanded intensity values is used by starburst processor 20 to implement the centrally selected pixel P, . Calculate intensity values. As mentioned above, a typical digital display has 512 horizontal pixels by 512 vertical pixels. As shown in FIG. 6, each command intensity value for each logical pixel developed by graphics engine 16 may be stored in memory 32. Each actual intensity value for each physical pixel within display 14 can then be calculated using a lookup table or calculation. However, the memory 32 has the severe disadvantage of being prohibitively expensive and the system being computationally prohibitively slow. The present invention provides a new method for calculating and providing an actual intensity value for each physical pixel in display 14 from the commanded intensity values of logical pixels stored in memory 18. This is implemented by the hardware shown in the embodiment of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 7, the input terminal 34 of the starburst processor is connected to the output of the memory 18. terminal 3
4 is controlled by controller/sequencer 42
Status buffer 36. Connected to 38°40 input. Controller/sequencer 42 also controls the write/read functions of random access memories 44, 46, 48 having inputs connected to the outputs of tri-state buffers 36, 38, 40, respectively. Latches 50, 52, 54 also have inputs connected to the outputs of tri-state buffers 36, 38, 40, respectively. The first programmable read-only memory 56 has three inputs each connected to the output of a latch 50, 52, 54. controller/
Sequencer 42 also provides a signal on line 58 to first programmable read-only memory 56 to confirm "center selection."

The controller/sequencer 42 further provides a clock output S
Give the system as it will be described below! Used by all latches within. Central and non-central outputs 57.5 of the first programmable read-only memory 56
9 are connected to the inputs of latches 60 and 62, respectively. The output of latch 62 is connected to the input of latch 64. The output of the latch 60.64 and the non-central output 59 of the first programmable read-only memory 56 are connected to the input of the second read-only memory 66. The output of the second programmable read-only memory 66 is the central logic pixel P,
, the selected physical pixel actual 1.1 intensity value corresponding to 1. It is. During operation of the Starverse 1.1 processor shown in FIG. 2
The third random access memory 48 may include a third row of command strength values. Such a storage area is shown in FIG. At a particular point in this example, row RAM 1 is included within random access memory 44 and row RAM 2 is included within random access memory 46.
It is assumed that element 70 of row RAM 3 is now input to random access memory 48 via tristate buffer 40 and simultaneously received by latch 54. At the same time, controller/sequencer 42 moves element 72 to row R
Transfer from AMI to latch 50, element 7 in row RAMZ
4 is transferred to the latch 52. In the next clock cycle, this vertical slice 76 of elements 70, 72, 74 is transferred to the first programmable read-only memory 5.
6, which is input to element 70.6. 72. 74 vertical slices, which specify an intermediate value from the lookup table according to the command strength values stored in the vertical slices of 74, which, in the next clock cycle, will It is sent to read-only memory 66. The next intermediate value is the center output 57 for the next vertical slice shown at 78 in FIG.
When the upper value is output to latch 62, the previous intermediate value is output to latch 6.
2 to the latch 64. In the next clock cycle, the intermediate value for vertical slice 80 is determined and output on non-centered output 59.

When the latches 60, 62, 64 are clocked, the programmable read-only memory 66 receives the intermediate value for the second vertical slice from the latch 60 and the intermediate value for the third vertical slice 80 from the first programmable read-only memory 56. Upon receiving the intermediate value, the first
Receive intermediate values for vertical slices of . The second programmable read-only memory 66 then uses, for example, a lookup table to convert the intermediate values to the actual intensity values 13 . Output. Therefore, the actual intensity value 1.1 is the selected logical pixel P,.

1, l
It corresponds in a one-to-one relationship with the central command strength value of l, 1.

Continuous operation of this circuit causes starburst processor 20 to load all 19. Row RAM 3 fills random access memory 48 while computing . Controller/sequencer 42 identifies its row RAM 2, ie, its random access memory 46, containing the center select pixel, via line 58 to first programmable read-only memory 56. This causes the intermediate value for the vertical slice 78 containing the selected central logical pixel P 2 to be output to the central output 57 and the other intermediate values to the non-central output 59 . Once this process is complete, the row RAMI
Since the information from is no longer needed, the starburst processor begins inputting the rows below row RAM 3 into random access memory 44. Accordingly, the center row containing the center pixel is included in row RAMa of random access memory 48. Controller/sequencer 42 transfers this information to first programmable read-only memory 56 on line 58.
give to Each element in a row is a random access memory 44
, the processor simultaneously stores “
Compute each real intensity value for the center"pixel. This process continues until all pixels to be displayed have been assigned a real intensity value.

In this embodiment, only 4 bits of information are required for each element of FIG. 8, such as element 70. Four bits of information are sufficient to establish the intensity level to display a particular pixel. Since most random access memories currently available on the market are 8 bit/byte memories, the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 9 can be used to more efficiently utilize memory space and reduce cost. In an embodiment, two command strength values are stored in one byte of memory in the random access memory. This is shown in FIG. 10, which essentially corresponds to the process shown in FIG. The difference is that the circuit of FIG. 9 must address and reference the four least significant and four most significant bits of each byte of memory in random access memory.

Unlike the embodiment of FIG. 7, the embodiment of FIG. 9 has two programmable read-only memories 82.84, each receiving the output of a latch 50.52.54. In this embodiment, the programmable read-only memory 82 is
The four least significant bits are received for a vertical slice of pixels, indicated at 86, and the programmable read only memory 84 receives the four most significant bits, indicated by vertical slice 88. Similar to the previous process, an intermediate value is calculated for each vertical slice. Non-central output 81 of programmable read-only memory 82 is connected to an input of latch 90 and to an input of second programmable read-only memory 94 .

A central output 83 of programmable read only memory 82 is connected to an input of latch 92. A non-central output 85 of programmable read only memory 84 is connected to an input of latch 96 and to an input of programmable read only memory 98. Central output 87 of programmable read-only memory 84
is connected to an input of programmable read-only memory 94. The output of latch 92 is also connected to the input of programmable read only memory 98. By using these intermediate values, programmable read-only memory 9
4.98 uses look-up tables and other calculations to output the actual intensity values of pixels I and I, respectively.

+, j+, 1-1 As noted above, starburst processor 20 scans memory 18 and sequentially calculates and assigns an actual intensity value for each physical pixel within display 14.

The invention is not limited to the specific details of the illustrated apparatus and method; other modifications and applications are possible. Certain modifications may be made to the apparatus and method while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the subject matter of the above description is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be limiting.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 is a general block diagram of a video system using the present invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a digitizing display screen having pixel elements in a linear configuration; and FIG. 3 is a digital display screen having pixel elements in a staggered configuration. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the diagonal lines displayed on a digitizing display with dot flare function; FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a nine pixel neighborhood; FIG. FIG. 7 is a more specific block diagram of the starburst processor shown in FIG. 1; 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating temporary storage of command intensity values corresponding to logical pixels in the random access memory of the circuit of FIG. 7; FIG.
FIG. 10 shows a more specific block diagram of an alternative embodiment of the starburst processor shown in FIG. 1; FIG. FIG. Explanation of reference symbols 10...Input/output crab unit 12...Main processor 14...Display 16...Graphic engine 18.32...Memory 20...Starburst processor 22...Color map and gamma correction circuit 24...
Scan converter 26...driver 36.38.40...three-state buffer 42...controller/sequencer 44.46.48...random access memory 50.
52, 54.60, 62, 64, 90°92.96...
・Latch 56, 66, 82, 84, 94, 98...Programmable read-only memory

Claims (19)

[Claims] (1) A starburst processor for use in a system having means for generating graphic data in the form of a set of logical pixels to be displayed on a display having a set of physical pixels, the starburst processor comprising: means for providing a set of commanded intensity values in a one-to-one correspondence with the logical pixels; and means for providing a set of actual intensity values in a one-to-one correspondence with the physical pixels; A starburst processor in which each actual intensity value is a function of a predetermined neighborhood of commanded intensity values including a selected intensity value corresponding to the selected actual intensity value. 2. The starburst processor of claim 1, wherein each set of physical pixels and logical pixels has a grid pattern, and the neighborhood includes a selected logical pixel and all logical pixels adjacent to the selected logical pixel. Includes Starburst processor. (3) The starburst processor according to claim 1, wherein the physical pixels and the logical pixels are each arranged in a grid. 4. The starburst processor of claim 3, wherein the neighborhood is a selected logical pixel in the logical pixel set corresponding to the selected actual intensity value of a selected physical pixel in the physical pixel set. A starburst processor containing at least selected command intensity values for the pixels. 5. The starburst processor of claim 4, wherein said neighborhood includes all logical command strength values adjacent to said selected command strength value. 6. The starburst processor of claim 4, wherein said neighborhood includes all logical command strength values diagonally adjacent to said selected command strength value. 7. The starburst processor of claim 4, wherein said neighborhood includes all horizontal and vertical logical command strength values adjacent to said selected command strength value. (8) The starburst processor according to claim 4, wherein the selected actual intensity value is assigned one value from among a plurality of predetermined different values. (9) A starburst processor for use in a system having means for generating graphic data referenced to a set of logical pixels to be displayed on a display having a set of physical pixels, the starburst processor comprising: One-to-one with logical pixel sets
means for providing a corresponding set of commanded intensity values in a first memory, wherein the set of commanded intensity values and the corresponding logical pixel set are stored in a first memory arranged in a grid and having an output port; first, second and third selection means each having an input connected to the output port of the first memory; and outputs of the first, second and third selection means. first, second and third storage means respectively connected to said first, second and third storage means, each having an input connected to an output of said first, second and third selection means, respectively; latching means; processing means connected to outputs of the first, second and third latching means; first, second and third selecting means;
and a third storage means, and control means connected to said first, second and third latches and said processing means, said processing means having a one-to-one correspondence with said physical pixel set. A starburst processor that outputs a set of actual intensity values, each selected actual intensity value being a function of a predetermined neighborhood of commanded intensity values that includes a selected logical pixel corresponding to said selected actual intensity value. (10) The starburst processor according to claim 9, wherein the processing means comprises: a first calculation means having a central output and a non-central output; and a fourth calculation means having an input connected to the non-central output of the processing means. a sixth latch means having an input connected to the output of the fourth latch means and a fifth latch means having an input connected to the central output of the first calculation means; a second computation having first, second and third inputs respectively connected to said non-central output of said first computation means and to said fifth latching means output and said sixth latching means output; a starburst processor, the second calculation means outputting a set of actual intensity values in one-to-one correspondence with the set of commanded intensity values. 11. The starburst processor of claim 10, wherein the system further comprises a display having a set of physical pixels in one-to-one correspondence with the set of logical pixels; and means for exciting said physical pixels of said display from. 12. The starburst processor of claim 10, wherein the control means causes the first calculation means to include on the central output a selected command intensity value corresponding to the selected logical pixel. outputting an intermediate value for a vertical slice of commanded intensity values stored in the storage means of and for two vertical slices of commanded intensity values adjacent to said vertical slice containing said selected commanded intensity value on said non-centered output; A starburst processor that outputs two intermediate values. (13) The starburst processor according to claim 10, wherein the first and second calculation means include a search table including a plurality of values for determining the selected actual intensity value from the vicinity of the commanded intensity value. Starburst processor is a programmable read-only memory. 14. The starburst processor of claim 9, wherein each storage means stores two adjacent horizontal command intensity values in each addressable position of the storage means; The latching means each have a least significant bit output and a most significant bit output, and the processing means has a first computing means connected to the least significant bit outputs of the first, second and third latching means. a second calculation means connected to the most significant bit outputs of the first, second and third latching means, each of the first and second calculation means being connected to the third and fourth calculation means; said fourth and fifth latching means have outputs respectively connected to third and fourth calculation means, and said first calculation means has a non-central output connected to a sixth calculation means, respectively; a central output connected to a latching means, said sixth latching means being connected to said fourth calculating means, and said second calculating means having a central output connected to said third calculating means. a starburst processor, wherein the third and fourth calculation means output a selected actual intensity value and a horizontally preceding actual intensity value from the selected actual intensity values. (15) The starburst processor according to claim 14, wherein the control means is connected to the first and second calculation means, and causes the first and second calculation means to perform calculations, and outputs a central output from the first and second calculation means. outputting an intermediate value for a vertical slice of commanded intensity values stored in said first, second and third storage means comprising a selected commanded intensity value corresponding to a selected logical pixel; A starburst processor outputting two intermediate values for two vertical slices of commanded intensity values adjacent to said vertical slice containing said selected commanded intensity value on a non-centered output. (16) The starburst processor according to claim 14, wherein the first and second calculation means include a search table including a plurality of values for determining the selected actual intensity value from the vicinity of the commanded intensity value. Starburst processor, which is a programmable read-only memory containing. (17) A method for providing dot flare for graphics data stored in memory in the form of commanded intensity values corresponding to a set of logical pixels, wherein the logical pixels are in a pair with a set of physical pixels in the display. 1
The method includes selecting one command strength value from the set of command strength values, temporarily storing at least a vicinity of the command strength value, and including at least the selected command strength value in the vicinity. a predetermined number of commanded strength values adjacent to the selected commanded strength value; and calculating a plurality of intermediate values for a vertical slice of the commanded strength value within the neighborhood; , calculating at least a selected actual intensity value corresponding to the selected commanded intensity value. (18) The method according to claim 17, further comprising: temporarily storing two adjacent horizontal rows of command strength values; and temporarily storing command strength values of a third adjacent row of command strength values. and once each commanded intensity value in the third row is stored, calculate the intermediate value from the corresponding vertical slice of the commanded intensity value, and calculate the current vertical slice, the once delayed vertical slice, and the twice delayed vertical slice. A dot flare supply method having steps of calculating an actual intensity value from an intermediate value of. 19. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of providing a center selection signal indicating which of the three stored horizontal rows corresponds to a selected command intensity value. Supply method.